Hope 2 Oban
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Friday 24 August 2012

Summertime 2012 - Soul Survivor - July 27-31

This summer H2O Youth Worker Rachel had the pleasure of taking a group of 5 girls to Soul Survivor Christian Youth Festival in Stafford.  The festival is 5 days long and packed with interesting seminars, amazing (and very loud!) worship and thought-provoking talks at the main meetings, morning and evening of every day.  There are cafe’s, a market place, and even a night club!  It’s all set up with young people in mind, but more 'mature' folk also enjoyed it!  It was so good to take some young folk from Oban into this 4000 strong festival. It was both an exciting and challenging experience for them, one of the biggest challenges being the erecting of tents!  Camping was a first time experience for some and one that wasn’t helped by the spider infestation in one tent. Thankfully the group had Rebecca, from the Callander Christian Fellowship, to save the day and get rid of the spiders!  A big thank you to Rosie Matheson and Jane Stanfield (Rachel's sister) who came as volunteers, also assiting with Rachel's wee boy Christy!  It was a great time to stop and allow God to work in the lives of all the group.  The girls have talked about wanting to go back next year so we think they all enjoyed it!

 

Summertime 2012 - EXP12 in Dunoon - July 21-27

EXP 12 - What's that all about? Well, here you go..... having engaged with young folk, you invite them along to a very grand house, nay castle and encourage them to.... Experience, Explore, Explain, Experiment, Express Jesus! Simple!
How do you do that? Well, that's what EXP is all about.
After a fruitful leaders practical and prayerful preparation weekend, 44 young folk from Cowal, but also a small contingent from Oban and Mull, arrived at Benmore Lodge, just outside Dunoon, for daily Canoeing, Sailing, Caving, Climbing, Sporting (Footy/ Basketball/ Shinty & Athletics), Crafting and Singing.


Having restoked the energy levels with some splendid nosh, and digested with a wide game, the gathering spent energetic evenings discovering more about the Christian Journey and just who Jesus is. Whole group time (games, multi-media and chat) was followed by precious times together in huddles of 6-8 young with leaders, expressing views and challenging each other on what had been shared during the earlier chat.
All-in-all, this was a splendid time for young folk and leaders alike, with plans already afoot for EXP 13. Definitely a superb opportunity for young folk from Cowal and beyond to discover much much more about themselves, each other and about Jesus and who He might be in their lives.

Summertime 2012 - SSC 'Mixed 1' Camp - 14-21 July

 So, campsite created.... just add young folk from all over Scotland, including the Borders, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Fife and of course Argyll!
 Over 100 young folk from all directions (including Spain and France!) converged on the site to take part in games, music, sports, challenges, eating, sleeping! and lots of chillin' with their pals, old and new!

Summertime 2012 - SSC 'Advanced Guard' - July 7-13

One minute it's a very empty field close to Calvine in Perthshire, and with the click of a finger, a lot of hard and work much canvas, the SSC 'Advanced Guard' of senior high school pupils from all over Scotland have created Struan 2012.
Over a week, these intrepid camp-creators pitched marquees and troop tents, washed hundreds of dishes, built a bridge (twice!), dug deep holes, plumbed showers, painted toilet blocks........ oh, the list goes on and on!!!
They were joined through the week by the SSC volunteer team and the H2O youth workers Rachel and Ewen. With a lot of fun, laughs, a Spiderman movie in Perth and hard work...what a team.
Well done all!

Summer 2012 with Hope 2 Oban and friends

What a busy summer it's been. Yes, the weather has been mixed, but that hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of all to get out there to fields and castles around the country, to have good old fun with young folk and friends from partner organisations.
Whether in a field in Perthshire or Stafford, or a castle in Cowal, it has been a good and fruitful summer!
Read the Summertime 2012 posts to find out more..........